The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a postgraduate research degree available for social workers. It provides the opportunity to combine postgraduate coursework study directly related to an area of advanced social work practice with doctoral research that builds social work knowledge, leading to the presentation of a doctoral thesis. The degree consists of one-third coursework (equivalent to one year full-time, Year 1) and two-thirds research (equivalent to two years full-time, Years 2 and 3). The length of the doctoral thesis is typically 50,000-60,000 words. There is a choice of specialised coursework study in three programs offered by the School of Social Sciences: the Master of Counselling Social Work (8930), the Master of Development Studies (8939), and the Master of Policy Studies (8428).

Advanced professional practice in the discipline of social work involves the continuous development of knowledge for practice. Leadership in social work requires experience, in-depth advanced practice study and sophisticated research skills.

In this program, in-depth advanced practice study is achieved in the specialised coursework component, which builds on foundational social work education and the experience gained through professional practice. This advanced practice study provides the basis for a contribution to social work knowledge through empirical or conceptual research. The thesis study component of the program develops the sophisticated research skills necessary for an original and significant contribution to social work knowledge. The DSW program as a whole prepares experienced practitioners for research and practice leadership in the discipline of social work.

Graduates of this program will have

The DSW is designed as a three year full-time equivalent program, structured as one-third coursework (equivalent to one year full-time, Year 1) and two-thirds research (equivalent to two years full-time, Years 2 and 3). The coursework must be completed prior to the thesis research study. The 48 UOC coursework will be taken within the Master of Counselling Social Work OR the Master of Social Development OR the Master of Policy Studies. The program of study should be approved by the relevant Masters Convenor and the DSW Program Convenor. In the research component, which is 96 UOC, students undertake supervised research leading to the production of a thesis.

Enrolment in the coursework component is part-time for coursework in the Master of Counselling Social Work (this program is not available on a full-time basis), and may be completed part-time or full-time for coursework within the Master of Social Development or the Master of Policy Studies. Enrolment in the thesis component may part-time or full-time.

There are three requirements for admission to the DSW degree and all three requirements must be met.

There are three pathways to admission to the DSW.

The standard entry pathway: Applicants who meet all 3 admission requirements may be admitted to the DSW through the standard entry pathway, completing both coursework and research study within their enrolment for the DSW as detailed above.

The qualifying program Advanced Standing entry pathway: This pathway is designed for social workers who do not immediately meet Admission Requirement 3, ie. do not have a research honours qualification or equivalent. Here the pathway to the DSW is through enrolment in, and completion of, an advanced practice Masters prior to applying for DSW admission. The Masters coursework must contain at least 18 UOC research training, including methodology training and a stand-alone project, and the results achieved should be at distinction average. In this qualifying program entry pathway, students are admitted with Advanced Standing and 48 UOC course credit for the coursework component, and move directly to the 2-year thesis study component of the DSW. The Master of Counselling Social Work (8930) is a suitable program for this entry pathway.

The Advanced Standing Masters pathway: Where applicants for the DSW meet all entry requirements, and have completed at another university a post-qualifying coursework masters that is assessed as relevant to an area of advanced social work practice, admission with Advanced Standing and 48 UOC coursework credit is available.

To qualify for the award of the degree of Doctor of Social Work (Research), a student must:

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html